"This work is unlike any other, in its range of rich, conjuring imagery and its dexterity, its smart voice. Carroll-Hackett doesn’t spare us—but doesn’t save us—she draws a blueprint of power and class with her unflinching pivot: matter-of-fact and tender." —Jan Beatty

Led by poet Sam Hamill, February 12, 2003 became a day of Poetry Against the War conducted as a reading at the White House gates in addition to over 160 public readings in many different countries and almost all of the 50 states. Since then, over 9,000 poets have joined this grassroots peace movement by submitting poems and statements to http://www.poetsagainstthewar.org, registering their opposition to the Bush administration’s headlong plunge toward war in Iraq. Poets Against the War features a selection of the best poems that were submitted to the website. Contributors include: Adrienne Rich, W.S. Merwin, Galway Kinnell, Robert Bly, Marilyn Hacker, Grace Schulman, Shirley Kaufman, Wanda Coleman, Yusef Komunyakaa, Hayden Carruth, Jane Hirshfield, Tess Gallagher, Sandra Cisneros, former Poet Laureate Rita Dove, and many others.

Something a little different this week: recommending a documentary, Poetry of Witness. Poetry of Witness is a 2015 documentary film directed by Billy Tooma and Anthony Cirilo about the lives of six contemporary poets who have lived through, and survived, extremities such as war, torture, exile, and repression, using poetry to preserve their memories.It debuted October 16, 2015 at the Buffalo International Film Festival.

In honor of and with gratitude to all who have served, continue to serve, and their families, and to those who strive to help us remember, to help us heal, to help us continue to honor the stories and voices of our warriors.

Thanks to George Kovach, Catherine Parnell, and all of the other dedicated editorial staff at Consequence. c

CONSEQUENCE is an independent, non-profit literary magazine published annually. We publish short fiction, poetry, non-fiction, interviews, visual art, and reviews primarily focused on the culture of war.

I was 6 in 1969, and the only connection I could make to the war in Viet Nam was that my Uncle David was there. I remember watching footage on our black and white TV, looking for my handsome uncle’s face. I was too young to understand, but I remember the images clearly.